UNLV trailed 40-32 at halftime, but started the second half on a 16-2 run. The Cowboys rallied to tie it 60-60 with 5:17 left, but the Rebels pulled away and hung on down the stretch as Adams went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final 57 seconds.

Ryan Dermody and Travis Nelson each added 12 points apiece for the Cowboys, who committed 18 turnovers to the Rebels' two.

After trailing 10-2 to start the game, the Cowboys went on a 29-14 run, and later extended their the lead to 10 points on two occasions, the last at 40-30 with 2:00 left in the half.

The Cowboys, who out-rebounded the Rebels 45-30, finished the game from the field 26-of-57 for 46 percent.